Feed My Sheep and Temple College partnered together to provide education for those who were unable to complete high school and receive a diploma. In this program students have the choice of three certificates: GED, HiSET, and TASC. The GED exam is on a computer; however, students can take the HiSET and TASC with pencil and paper, which may be an advantage to those who do not speak English as their first language.Additionally, Feed My Sheep has been working on providing a permanent education room in their building so that students have a better more protected learning environment. September is the slated completion date for the new room, just in time for the fall cycle of the program to begin!Becky Bradley, Coordinator for the Adult Education and Literacy Department at Temple College said, “The program is funded by the Texas Workforce Commission and as a result we have certain targets that we have to reach. One of them is how many students finish the program and transition to higher education or transition to one of our certificate programs in business or education. Our percentages of that are very high! Not only do we want them to come and get their high school diploma, but to either go to Temple College and then transition to a four-year school or transition to a job. We want them in the workforce! We want to prepare them to make a living for themselves.”The program has done just that – prepared many to make a living for themselves. Mrs. Bradley told a story of one particular student who was living in a shelter, who obtained her GED through the program. During her time, she developed a relationship with Cecilia Watkins, one of the instructors. The young lady was able to secure her own apartment and a part time job, while attending and ultimately graduating from Temple College with plans to attend a four-year program in the fall. Her goal is to become a teacher herself. “She went basically from being homeless, to the shelter, to Feed My Sheep, to Temple College,” Mrs. Bradley stated, “and now to a four-year school… because we had a teacher there who not only had the credentials to do her job professionally, but she had a big heart for students.”This beautiful story of a life changed continues, as this inspiring and intelligent young woman goes forward in her plans to “pay forward” the gift that she received.This extended education program has the power to influence not just one life, but many. You can play a part in its design. As the students reach each milestone, they are required to pay for examination fees and graduation costs ranging from $122-$145. Many students are not in a position financially to cover the costs. We need student sponsors to commit to providing the necessary funds for these aspiring scholars! If you would like to financially support this mission, please contact Jim Hornsby at (254) 778-6885 or Staci Masson at (512) 775-7999.What a small price to pay for the bettering of a life!

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